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 Week 15

Giving Machine Week!

22 November 2024




It was a Giving Machine week. We met will the 4 charitable organizations in Hamilton that are being spotlighted in the Hamilton giving machine. This company is called Waterboy and provides athletic gear for children that can't afford it. Angie, (to the right) who is our intern from BYU, filmed them while we asked questions. Angie is putting together a video to go on Facebook using the Church Light the World guide material. You see them everywhere.  The Church provides the music and the clip of the machines being used, and we provide the interview portion. That was probably more than you wanted to know. I have learned a lot, even what a B roll is.:)



The biggest Nutella container I've ever seen!




Next, we went to the ribbon cutting for Auckland's Giving Machines. These kind people are UNICEF representatives. UNICEF is a global partner. There are 4 local and 2 global for every location. Their committee has agreed to come to the Auckland Temple Open house in February.
They asked us not to wear our name tags. They what everyone to know its about giving and not proselyting. 


This charitable foundation is about different kinds of literacy. His focus is financial literacy. It's interesting what he is doing. He gives high schoolers $20 and they are challenged to make more money with it. They have to pay the $20 back.




Saturday we went to the wood carver. I have been but I knew Kelly would love it. Jiries and Marcelle are fascinating people from Bethlehem.  He has been carving for 50 years and is very talented. Judy and KC bought a nativity.


Yes, we are the proud owners of Ukuleles. We might even form a band, who know. I'm excited to start this little hobby together, Kelly instigated. Stay tuned.



This pictures is for some of the fanatics in our family.  New Zealand is the land of Hobbiton and Lord of the Rings.   I have been given some trash over the fact that I have never read the books nor seen the movies.   Well last night we went to the Lord of the Rings Musical.   It is a 3 hour play and pretty amazing talent and staging.  I will admit to getting lost a number of times in the story line and maybe understanding 6 words Golum (sp?) said.  But at least now I know the story.



Normally we would need a release form for this picture but no one cares about this blog. Today was our primary program and WOW did the kids come to impress! They were all decked out in their traditional Tongan dress. It was adorable!




I shed a few tears today, not being present for Olivia's baptism. It was hard on me, but I'm so proud of the love and support that I felt while watching everyone participate. We need each other!!! Don't ever feel like you are not needed or don't make a difference. What an amazing group of people showing love to one sweet 8 year old.

My testimony strengthened this week of the goodness and love of our Heavenly Father. I feel loved. I believe it was Elder Ballard that said, "You cannot put a crust on the alter of the Lord without receiving a loaf in return." We are presenting a very small crust but the joy, fulfillment, and tender mercies we are noticing are very generous.

We love you and miss you,

Elder and Sister Shaw,



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